EU elections, main voter concerns

Tens of millions of people throughout the European Union are voting for the new European Parliament today. These elections are expected to shift the bloc to the right and potentially give another direction to the European Union. The war in Ukraine, the impact of climate policies on farmers and migration are some of the main concerns of electors as they cast ballots on 720 members of the European Parliament. Official voting results cannot be published before the last polling stations are closed in Italy at 11:00. However, some data will be published by the European Parliament itself at 14:30 today.
The European Parliament in Brussels covered with banners urging citizens to vote Sunday on the last day of the four-day elections. It is voted in 21 EU countries Sunday, including France and Germany.

In France, while hardline rightist Marine Le Pen is not on the candidate list, she is expected to come up with the main winner of these elections. Polls draw its party “National Tourism” as winner with 33% of the vote. President Emmanuel Macron's rival party “Renaissance”, according to polls, could get over 14%, while the French Socialists are expected to win 13% of the vote.

My “Vota has to do with the war in Ukraine. A good question is who can get us out of this war? I don't think anyone can. But if we have a strong Europe, then maybe we'll get to that point”, Says Marie Toberghien, French voter.

The elections will affect the way the European Union, a 450 million-strong bloc, faces challenges. Among the main challenges are hostile actions from Russia, increased industrial rivalry from China and the United States, climate change and migration.

Throughout Europe, nationalist ideas against immigration that Mrs. Le Pen has long protected are gaining ground.

In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Melon's party is also expected to ensure victory.

I hope Europe will change because what we have seen so far has not been a Europe for Europe. We've never been the United States of Europe since everyone thinks about their interests. But now you have a European Union leading us, so I don't understand why we have to continue with this Europe”, Says Paolo Taddeo, resident of Rome.

Since the recent EU elections in 2019, populist or extreme right parties now lead governments in three countries -- Hungary, Slovakia and Italy. Some similar parties are part of the ruling coalition in countries such as Sweden, Finland, and are soon expected in the Netherlands. Polls give populists an advantage even in Belgium and Austria.

Greece is the country with the least positive views of the European Union. According to a 53% Greek survey, they have a negative attitude for the EU. Another survey says Greeks also have little interest in participating in these elections.

In view of this, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged Greeks to participate in this election so that Greece will have a strong voice in the European Parliament.

Over the next five years, very important decisions will be made in Europe, and it is very important that there be a strong Greek voice in the European Parliament so that Greece can get as much of Europe”, Mr. Mitsotakis said after casting his vote.

Polls predict pro-European and Green Liberals will lose seats, contracting most of the centre-right and centre-left liberals. This will make efforts to adopt new EU laws difficult.

The centre-right European People's Party group is projected to remain the largest European Parliament group. That puts his candidate, current European Commission Chairman Ursula von der Leyen, in a favourable position to be renamed for a second term.

However, it may need support from some right-wing nationalists, such as Prime Minister Giorgia Melon's Italy Brothers, to secure a parliamentary majority, giving Mrs. Mellon and allies the opportunity to strengthen their position.

Official voting results cannot be published before the last polling stations are closed in Italy at 11:00. However, some data will be published by the European Parliament itself at 14:30 today. / VOA